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Pella Boys Cross Country Team to Run at National-level Meet

The Pella boys Cross Country team is not yet ready to quit running. The state champs elected to run in today’s Nike Cross Nationals meet in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which will determine the top squads from the Heartland Region. The Heartland includes seven states, with the top teams advancing to the National meet in Portland, Oregon, next month. Pella Cross Country Coach Doug Cutler says participating in the meet will be a great experience for both the senior runners and next year’s returning runners.

“It’ll be good exposure for the seniors to college coaches, obviously, that’ll be tremendous for them; and for the younger boys, to just be part of these big meets,” said Cutler. “When you’re part of these regional and national meets, it really gets you a flavor for your postseason-type meets just in your own state. So it really gives them a big advantage in the future, I think, to knowing what that’s about and realizing that the training they’ve put in gets them ready for that type of situation.”

Cutler will not be coaching the team, since it is not an event sanctioned by the state athletic association. Other Iowa boys teams that will be running at the meet include Cedar Falls, Marshalltown and Pleasant Hill, along with several individuals.